Deck Building

Every new deck we build starts with a site visit. We read the slope, the drainage, the sight lines from inside the house, and how your yard will accommodate stairs and access. Our builds span everything from straightforward 12×16 ground-level platforms to multi-level structures with integrated benches, privacy screens, pergola connections, and lighting rough-ins. Whatever the scope, the structure underneath is always pressure-treated framing built to Ontario Building Code and designed to outlast the surface above it.

The process starts with a site visit and a conversation about how you want to use the space. We measure the house, read the grade, discuss material and style options, and put together a written estimate with a clear scope. Once approved, we pull the permit — all new deck builds in Ontario above 600 mm require one — submit the plans, and book the job. Permit timelines vary by municipality; in London, Kitchener, and most SW Ontario cities, we're typically looking at two to four weeks from application to approval.

Build day starts with footing layout and frost-depth excavation. Ontario requires footings below 1.2 metres (deeper in some municipalities) to sit below the frost line. Tube forms are poured, posts set, beams and joists hung with code-compliant hardware, then decking and railings go on. We do a self-inspection at each stage before moving to the next. Final sign-off from the municipal inspector closes the permit and gives you a legal, insured structure.

Southwestern Ontario puts decks through hard freeze-thaw cycles, wet springs, and full-sun summers. The framing is always pressure-treated — no exceptions. For decking surfaces, pressure-treated is the economical workhorse and stains well. Cedar is premium, lighter, and naturally resistant to insects and decay — popular with clients in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and London markets who plan to stain and maintain. Composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) eliminates annual maintenance; most lines carry 25–30-year warranties. Cellular PVC is fully waterproof — the right call for shaded or moisture-prone sites.

Railings are where design identity shows. We offer pressure-treated, cedar, aluminum, cable, and tempered glass-panel systems. Mix-and-match is fine — many clients pair a cedar deck with black aluminum balusters for a contemporary look. We'll bring material samples to the site visit so you can see them against your house exterior before committing. Hardware is hot-dip galvanized or stainless throughout — never electroplated, which rust-streaks within two seasons in Ontario's climate.

In Ontario, any deck attached to a house or over 600 mm above grade requires a building permit. Master Decker handles the permit application, drawings submission, and inspection scheduling. We build to Ontario Building Code Div. B Part 9 — frost-depth footings, proper post-to-beam connections, joist hanger requirements, guard heights, baluster spacing, stair riser and run dimensions, and ledger-to-rim-joist attachment with through-bolts and proper flashing. When the inspector arrives, the work is ready.

Our workmanship guarantee covers structural and installation defects for the life of the build. We carry full liability insurance and WSIB coverage — something homeowners should always ask about before signing any contract for structural work. After the final walk-through, you'll have the closed permit card, the product documentation for your decking material, and a direct line to us if anything needs attention down the road.